Tooele County has mandated evacuations due to the rapid spread of the Maple Peak and Cherry Fires near the county line.
According to Iron Fire Public Information Officer Toby Weed, the Maple Peak Fire combined with the original Cherry Fire to result in a fire that currently burns approximately 20,000 acres. This combined fire is now known as “cherry fire.”
An ABC4 team on the scene reports that officials have confirmed two fires have merged and are now estimated to be consuming a total of about 20,000 acres.
evacuation Authorized in multiple areas of Tooele county As fires pose an increasing threat to the region. Affected locations include: Vernon Reservoir and the Love Green area.
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Maple Peak Fire and Cherry Fire: Locals talk smoke and wildfire risks
Love Green residents Rebecca and Jared Richardson said they saw the fire jump over Highway 36, endangering their neighbors across the street. Locals added that it looked like a huge wall of smoke approaching us, which was very daunting.
Evacuations in Eureka, Mammoth and Silver City
eureka, mammoth and silver city Immediate evacuation is required. They are advised to head east on Highway 6. A shelter will be set up at an Elberta church.
The directive follows an “Imminent Threat Alert” issued to Eureka residents on Friday. The Juab County Sheriff’s Office said residents of Eureka, Mammoth City and Silver City should “be prepared to evacuate at any time.”
Some areas are currently under “GO” status, prompting evacuees to head to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vernon, which was designated as an evacuation center, according to the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office.
Motorway fire: Motorists urged to avoid area
Additionally, a “Freeway Fire” is burning near the southwest side of SR-36. As a result, the intersection of SR-36 with SR-6 and the Juab/Tooele county line has been closed. Motorists are urged to avoid the area as severe fire activity is observed.
Motorists are asked to avoid the immediate area and follow all instructions provided by emergency personnel.
Additionally, the Cherry Fire has been confirmed to cover approximately 500 acres and exhibit “extreme fire behavior.”
Utah county declares state of emergency
Meanwhile, Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran said the county is facing a serious situation due to severe wildfires and increased fire risks in the area.
The purpose of declaring a state of emergency is to allow the county to receive additional resources while also indicating that there is no immediate threat to residents of Utah County at this time.
“We have deployed significant resources (early in the traditional fire season schedule) to the Iron Fire and continue to face ongoing recovery issues,” the statement said. “This was even before the Maple Peak Fire and Cherry Fire, which have now merged and are moving toward the Iron Fire.”
Several fires are currently burning in Tooele and Djuab counties. In addition to the Iron Fire, a “Freeway Fire” on the southwest side of SR-36 resulted in closures of SR-36 at the intersection of SR-6 and SR-36 and at the Juab/Tooele county line.
At this time, no further information is available. ABC4 will be closely monitoring developments and providing the latest news across broadcast and online platforms.
